Easy Pressure Cooker Ribs

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Pressure Cooker Ribs make tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone with a perfect sticky glaze that you're going to love. Cooking ribs in the pressure cooker takes a fraction of the time with the same powerful flavor and deliciousness. You'll never go back!

Pressure cooker ribs on a tray with bbq sauce, dip and crudite.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

There are several different methods of making ribs from boiling, grilling, baking, and smoking.

ALL are delicious and can produce very flavorful tender ribs but all those methods take hours on hours of cooking whereas cooking ribs in the instant pot or pressure cooker will create incredibly flavorful tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs in only an hour or less.

Quickest and easiest way to make tender, fall-off-the-bone ribs!
A family favorite dinner that's loved by kids and adults!
Made with many pantry staples and easy-to-find ingredients.
No pressure cooker? No worries! You will also find directions to make perfect oven-baked baby back ribs!

If you love ribs, you might also enjoy these delicious country style ribs.

Ingredients

There are a couple of components for this recipe, ribs, a rub, and a tasty bbq sauce. Before we look at all the ingredients you will need for making ribs in a pressure cooker, let's talk a bit about ribs!

What are the different types of ribs?

Pork ribs vs beef ribs. Pork ribs are more commonly eaten and likely what you'll find at your grocery store.

What's the difference between baby back ribs and spare ribs?

They're simply cut from different parts of the pig. Baby backs are leaner and tender, and weigh less so they cook faster than spareribs.

Spare ribs are richer and more flavorful because they have more bone and generally more fat, but less meat (which equals cheaper). Both can be delicious!

What type of ribs should I cook in the Instant Pot?

You want to use baby back ribs! They're easy to fit into the ribs into the pressure cooker and they cook up so irresistibly tasty!

What do I need to make Instant Pot Ribs?

Are you ready to get started? Here's the rest of what you need for making the best pressure cooker ribs.

Ingredients to make pressure cooker ribs.

Ribs: We are using baby back ribs for this recipe. They are your pretty standard, most commonly known ribs.
Dark brown sugar: Brown sugar flavors the rub and also sweetens the homemade bbq sauce.
Rub seasonings: Paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, celery salt, white pepper, black pepper, and salt.
Aromatics: Yellow onion and garlic cooked until soft in oil give lay the base of flavors down.
Ketchup: Makes the base for the homemade bbq sauce that's going to make the ribs taste sooo good!
Apple cider vinegar: Gives the sauce the perfect tang!
Worcestershire sauce: Adds rich, savory flavors to balance out the sauce and make it more flavorful.
Liquid smoke: Rounds out the bbq sauce flavor with a little smokiness.
Honey: Gives the bbq sauce its familiar stickiness.
Spice: The homemade bbq sauce gets its kick from some hot chili sauce, paprika, and cayenne.

How to Cook Ribs in the Instant Pot

Here's an overview of the steps for making ribs in the pressure cooker. The details are lined out in the recipe card further down the page.

Mix up all your spices and brown sugar in a bowl. Stir until it's well mixed.
Rub the spices all over, front and back, of the baby back ribs. Place the seasoned ribs in the fridge overnight or for at least a few hours.

A collage of images of mixing the rub and adding it to the ribs.

Now that your ribs are super flavorful it's time to pressure cook them.

Place the ribs in the pressure cooker with 1 cup of water, broth, or Dr. Pepper...yeah baby.
Pressure cook the ribs for 30 minutes. For really really fall-apart tender ribs you can go a little longer like 45 minutes. When the time is up use natural release and open the lid.

Baby back ribs in the instant pot and adding the water.

Pull the ribs out of the pressure cooker and slice them into sections and transfer them to a foil-lined jelly roll pan.
To add a nice sticky glaze, brush a generous amount of homemade barbecue sauce all over the ribs.

Slicing the cooked ribs in the pressure cooker and brushing with sauce.

Broil the baby back ribs for about 5-10 minutes or until desired stickiness you want is achieved. Serve them up and enjoy!

Sticky glazed instant pot ribs with green onions topped on top on a tray.

What Do I Do With Leftover Ribs?

Any leftover ribs can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. They can also be stored in the freezer for up to three months.

When you're ready to enjoy them again, reheat them in your microwave, air fryer, or in a saucepan with little water.

How to Serve Ribs

You will want to serve them immediately nice and hot! They're perfect for dinner, a backyard bbq, as an appetizer, or game day party food.

They go great with just about any potato side dish from cheesy potato wedges to mashed potatoes!

Add on a salad! This easy instant pot potato salad or country coleslaw can be made ahead of time!

If you're planning to serve them up as an appetizer for a party, they go great with chili cheese dip, sticky chicken tenders, and baked potato skins.

Serve these ribs with a low-carb option like these Keto Bang Bang Cauliflower!

Expert Tips

Give the ribs time to sit after adding the rub! We think overnight is best but at a minimum give them 2-3 hours.
We love our homemade barbecue sauce but you can also opt for your favorite store brand.
Extend the cooking time to forty-five minutes for even more tender ribs.
Add more flavor by using Dr. Pepper or broth instead of water in the instant pot.

FAQs

How long do I pressure cook ribs?

Pressure cook the ribs for 30 minutes. For really really fall-apart tender ribs you can go a little longer like 45 minutes. Always use natural release.

How do I remove the shiny membrane on the backside of my ribs?

It may have been removed at the grocery store but if not, here's how to do it.

First, cut off the last rib if you can't get a start on it. You'll want to dig in with a blunt object. I use a butter knife.

If the membrane is all intact and once you start pulling, it should all just come off in one piece. If not, it'll be more difficult, but just do the best you can. It's not integral that you remove the membrane, it just makes for a slightly easier eating experience.

Once it gets going, grab a paper towel and use it to really grasp the membrane. Pull that sucker back.

Is water necessary for cooking the ribs in the pressure cooker?

Yes! Well, you need some form of liquid in order to cook under pressure. But you can also use broth or soda to add different flavors. If you forget the water, you will likely get a burn notice from the pressure cooker.

BBQ ribs in the instant pot on a tray with sides.

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